For the first time in the world literature, the presented study describes oral-anal contact between two sympatric Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks, which are the vectors of many pathogens in Europe. Among the specimens collected in nature, an I. ricinus male was found with...

This review aims to explore the role of professional diagnostic rapid testing of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), especially COVID-19 and influenza, ensuring proper disease management and treatment in Europe, and particularly in Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania. The paper was constructed based on a review of scientific evidence and national and international policies and recommendations, as well as a process of validation by four experts. The development of new testing technologies, treatment options, and increased awareness of the negative multidimensional impact of ARI profiles transformed differential diagnosis into a tangible and desirable reality. This review covers the following topics: (1) the multidimensional impact of ARIs, (2) ARI rapid diagnostic testing platforms and their value, (3) the policy landscape, (4) challenges and barriers to implementation, and (5) a set of recommendations illustrating a path forward. The findings indicate that rapid diagnostic testing, including at the point of care (POC), can have a positive impact on case management, antimicrobial and antibiotic stewardship, epidemiological surveillance, and decision making. Integrating this strategy will require the commitment of governments and the international and academic communities, especially as we identified room for improvement in the access and expansion of POC rapid testing in the focus countries and the inclusion of rapid testing in relevant policies.

Background: Patients with hematological malignancies, including multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), are at an increased risk of severe infections due to both disease- and therapy-related immunosuppression. This cross-sectional study evaluated awareness of infection risks and vaccination uptake among 150 adults with various hematological malignancies from major Polish centers. Methods: All participants completed a 30-item questionnaire capturing demographic data, treatment history, infection frequency, and vaccination attitude. Statistical analyses utilized Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Respondents had a median age of 57 years (range, 30–79), and 65.3% were female. MM was the most common diagnosis (64.7%), followed by CLL (4.0%) and other hematological malignancies (31.3%). Nearly all participants (99.3%) acknowledged their increased susceptibility to infections. Frequent infections (≥2 in the past 6 months) were significantly associated with transfusion dependency (p = 0.0001) and a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT, p = 0.009). Although 69.3% expressed willingness to be vaccinated, 23.3% declined COVID-19 vaccination due to insufficient cancer-specific safety data. Higher education and urban residence correlated with greater acceptance of vaccines (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings underscore the critical need for targeted educational strategies and robust vaccination guidelines in this immunocompromised population. Enhanced patient education and timely implementation of tailored vaccination regimens could reduce infection-related morbidity and improve the tolerability of cancer treatments.